I thought of the orange trees in Jane's garden ...

When the rain stopped we walked to Highwood - 

We followed the narrow road across the water meadows - 

Where I'd sunbathed in summer was now the haunt of eels - 

The quiet winding river of sultry afternoons was swollen by the floods - 

Lichened alders cast their dark reflections in leaden pools - 

Deer watched us under dripping pines - 

Ditches brimmed with rainwater - 

I longed for summer, for sweet apples hanging over my head - 

I thought of the orange trees in Jane's garden, eating figs fallen from the tree - 

15.45

Wednesday 27 Hanuary 2016

Highwood

Dorset